"Pipsqueak?" he couldn't hide a chuckle, and shot back, "That's a cub insult. And I can't believe you'd fight for a bunch of lionesses who hate you. Why not just leave, let some worthy lion come in?" Pallas didn't truly intend to be so mean, but he didn't see an opening to jump down, and losing to an adult smilus could mean losing a leg. He felt his last option was to berate Sab till he gave up and went home.

Noticing the frustration in Sab's eyes, he simply puffed out his chest, standing to his full height on the boulder. The sun bouncing off his fluffy mane and wide stance made him look almost the size of an adult primal.

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Sab was circling the boulder now, hackles raised and a low rumble coming from his throat.
"How many times do I gotta say I don't wanna fight you?" He growled, eyes narrowed to slits. "What, you're dumb and deaf?"

He swatted up at Pallas, making him move to avoid the blow.

"They was cruel, Pallas! I couldn't let that poor excuse for a king go on as he was! I still gotta keep them from culling their cubs when they have 'em, do you really think that isn't an opening for some other murderous asshole to walk into my spot?!"

Sab's voice was heavy with rage, now. He squared his shoulders and then crouched, ready to tackle the primal from the rock - maybe, at least, pin him down so he'd stop being so cocky.

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Pallas just narrowed his eyes and bared his fangs. "You don't have to fight me! Just turn around, go home, and let me take his section of forest." He leapt aside to avoid the swat, listening to Sab's addition. "And if you're so concerned for your cubs, why not kick out the moms and get some new ones? I'm sure they'd be happy to leave such a pathetic pride as yours."

He was so busy trying to think of insults that he didn't notice the smilus crouching down. He felt fearless on top of the rock.

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Sab set his jaw as he readied to pounce, tail waggling as he steadied his aim... then he leapt, grabbing Pallas in sheathed-claw paws and tackling him to the ground. The smilus leant in close, his breath hot on Pallas's face.

"Say that again, eh?" He growled it lowly, his fur puffed up, his weight driving the primal lion into the floor. "Cocky little so-and-so. You don't give up on lions like that. They'll come to their senses, when they realise killin' ain't the only way."

He smacked Pallas hard across the face and then moved backwards, his stance ready for the primal to pounce at him.

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Pallas let out a rather childish squeak as Sab leapt at him. Pinned to the ground, his heartbeat quickened as he realized he was trapped - he stared with big eyes up at the smilus as he spoke. He eeped at the hard blow across his face. When the king released him, he drew in a deep breath and got up, fur ruffled and smudged with dirt.

"I-" he fumbled for words. His muzzle stung from the smack, and he didn't have any good responses. Pouncing on the lion again seemed like a bad plan - he'd been so easily caught off-guard and overpowered, like a misbehaving cub. But he didn't want to admit defeat just yet.

Changing his strategy, Pallas dipped his head. His short tail hung sadly behind him. "I'm sorry for intruding," he said, even though the words felt weird to say, "You're stronger than I gave you credit for. But I'm not just going to turn tail and run."

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Sab watched Pallas closely, clearly expecting another attack. When none came, he let his posture loosen a little, but kept his eyes trained warily on the smaller lion.

"You'd best be," he grunted, taking a few slow steps away with his back turned, showing no fear of another ambush. "I don't care what you do. Hell, you can all hunt here. I don't give a damn. My ladies are good enough to keep us all fed; I can't be bothered with it."

The smilus's muzzle twitched; for a moment he showed a flash of teeth. Though there was still tension in his muscles, it was less so after the apology.

"Just don't get in the way when you do. Challenge me again, and I'll really give you a fight." There was a gruffness to his voice, the insults still clearly stinging a bit.

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"Yes, of course," Pallas mumbled. He'd gotten what he needed - permission to send his girls hunting here. "Just make sure none of your lionesses attack mine. I'll have no mercy." He dug his claws into the ground, baring his teeth one last time, before beginning to edge backwards into the forest.

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Sab tilted his head, taking a few steps forward as Pallas stepped back. His expression seemed to soften - perhaps he regretted his sharp tone? Either way, he kept up the facade, grunting in short, sharp notes towards Pallas.

"They aren't gonna be attacking anything but prey, I promise you that." Despite his newly stern expression, there was a sincerity in his voice. "Either way... If you wanna come back here and be decent, then maybe we can actually both get something out of this. You need more hunting space... I need some good influences on my girls."

Clearly, he was bartering. It wasn't the usual struggle for dominance, sure, but a lifetime of being isolated had given Sab a drive to seek others out. Even more so, he didn't exactly want all of this on his shoulders. The lionesses respected any other male that came by - or female, for that matter.

Just... not him.

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Pallas took a few moments to consider Sab's offer. His proposition wasn't awful - Pallas wouldn't mind meeting some of his pride, maybe bringing over some of his own lionesses. He could think of a few who were stern enough to teach them a lesson.

"...Okay," he said at last, "It's a deal. One of my hunting parties is gonna come this way tomorrow. I can come and speak with you again." He was much more cordial now, having been bested. There was no point in being bossy to a lion who could beat him into the dirt.

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Sab nodded, trying to seem collected - but his waggling tail betrayed his excitement.

"Brilliant," he said, in what could've passed for an eager yelp - and then he cleared his throat and repeated, "uh- I mean, that sounds good. Yeah."

The idea of going back to the pride made his stomach coil, and he shook out his fur nervously. He still had some more exploring to do - leaves and rocks and logs to collect. He was sure he'd get back to jeers and yowls, but he tried to focus on the task at paw.

"And uh, sorry about the smacks, I guess. You kinda asked for it, though."

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"No problem, man. And don't worry about it - you're mighty strong, but it's not like it hurt." He stood tall, trying to hide the fact that the smacks had hurt a ton. Nodding to the king, he turned away, and began his walk home.

It hadn't been the fight he was looking for, but at least his huntresses could come here now. And maybe Sab could turn into an ally, if their meeting went well. For now, it was time to go check on his wives.

(wanna end rp, or timeskip to the meeting?)

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Sab smiled a little at that, one corner of his muzzle quirking up to reveal his teeth.

"Sure," he rumbled, clearly amused. But the chance encounter had left him ruminating on the primal's words - let some worthy lion come in. The smilus shook his fur out, his ears laying flat.

He'd finish gathering supplies and then... go back. Try to sort out this mess. Maybe avoidance was the issue.

Or, maybe he'd just slip off for a nap.

((I don't mind timeskipping if you're interested, totally up to you!! I was thinking if so of expanding the plot, seeing where it goes, maybe bring in event stuff... whatever haha))

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(totally!!! i love longer-length rps :D bringing in event stuff would be fun too)

The day passed without any more troubles. Pallas continued his patrols, checked on the cubs, and slept. The next day, he woke early to set up the hunting parties - once they'd departed, he sought out the lions who would go into Sab's territory.

"Bingo, Vermeil, and Dusky. I'll be accompanying you, too, to speak with the king." His lionesses accepted this, but Bingo looked a little suspicious as to what he was up to. He usually only sent experienced girls out on hunts so far from camp - Vermeil and Dusky weren't quite up to speed yet. In truth, he wanted lions who would do well in a fight if it went poorly, and two feruses and a primal gave him good odds.

They set out shortly after dawn and arrived near sunhigh. Bingo led Vermeil and Dusky out to hunt, while Pallas sat down to await Sab.

(if you check my pride, duskys pregnant atm but the rp isnt really following lioden time so oh well lol)

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((Sounds good!!))

It wasn't Sab that came through the foliage first, but a reddish lioness that regarded Pallas with animalistic rage. She bared her teeth, nose twitching as she caught the scent of the other females. It was with a savage roar that she advanced, but her snarling was punctuated by the crackling of long grass and leaves.

The smilus king burst from the trees and swatted the female, making her turn her sights on him. He returned the aggression, standing over her until she backed down with a roll of her eyes.

"He's meant to be here, Lita," Sab grunted at her. "I told 'im to be."

"What?!" Lit's fur bristled along her spine, and she lashed her tail unhappily. "What kind of king are you?! What are you doing?! Do you want us to starve?!"

At the accusation, Sab's ears flattened. Then, realising Pallas was watching, they straightened again. Finally, they ended up somewhere in-between; flicking nervously. He shot the other king a look - a pleading one, maybe, or long-suffering. The lioness muscled past him, stalking up to Pallas.

"Well, he doesn't get the say, around here. So, what are you doing in our territory, little king?"

((That's fine lmao, we can slow it down at any point if you want or whatevs, idm))

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Pallas jumped to his paws when the lioness appeared. As Sab tackled her, he watched, feeling the slightest bit awkward. He clawed the ground as the two feuded.

When the lioness muscled over to snap at him, Pallas just squared his shoulders and bared his teeth. "Lita, was it?" he growled, "Listen to your king. He's the one in charge, I'm just here for a meeting. Unless you want neighbors who'll attack every hunting party?" He met her glare fiercely.

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